Benign hereditary nephritis.

The diagnosis, prognosis, and heredity of glomerulonephritis, in 207 members of one family over five generations was determined. No evidence of significant renal insufficiency or renal associated mortality was found. A history of urinary tract infections was obtained from 58 percent of those with hematuria. Several of those with nephritis also had high-frequency hearing losses. Two females with histories of urinary infections had elevated levels of serum creatinine. Many cases will probably be discovered if families are tested when a patient presents with benign recurrent hematuria with or without red blood cell casts. There may not be an obvious history of kidney disease or hematuria. Hereditary nephritis is not always a progressive renal disease.